Device and method for drawing prizes

ABSTRACT

A device for drawing prizes includes a hat; and an identifying label on the hat. The identifying label is adapted to identify a winner of a random drawing, and may be a patch attached to the brim or it may be printed on the brim. The hat may depict an identifying code, such as numbers, letters, or colors that correspond to the winning code. A method of awarding prizes utilizes the hats.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/254,168, filed Oct. 22, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to random drawings, and more specifically, to a device and method for drawing prizes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a device includes a hat; and an identifying label on the hat; wherein the identifying label is adapted to identify a winner of a random drawing.

In another aspect of the present invention, a system for identifying a winner includes a hat having a label depicting an identifying code; and a random selection device adapted to identify a winning code; wherein the winner is identified by the hat having the identifying code that corresponds to the winning code.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of awarding a prize includes placing identifying codes on a plurality of hats; issuing the hats to event participants; randomly drawing a winning code; and providing the prize to the participant having the hat with the identifying code that corresponds with the winning code.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a sports cap according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows an identifying code on the embodiment of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart according an embodiment the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention generally provides a device and method for random drawings of identifying codes and using these drawings for awarding prizes. Embodiments of the present invention may relate to random prize drawings in sports events where numbers, letters, colors or a combination are used on sports caps to award prizes to persons attending the sport events. Caps with identifying codes may be issued by each team to their respective fans.

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a sports cap 10 with a top portion 12 or crown to sit on the user's head, a bill 13 or other brim, and a an identifying label 14. FIG. 2 depicts an example identifying label 14 with a combination of numbers 16 and letters 18.

Embodiments may create excitement in sports events by awarding prizes to participants to increase attendance. The identifying labels may include a combination of numbers or numerals, for example from 1 to 9999, letters, and/or team colors. Examples of sports events where embodiments may be used include football, baseball, soccer, car racing, horse racing, and college sports.

As depicted in FIG. 3, an embodiment of a method 20 may include the steps of: placing 22 the identifying codes on sports caps (e.g., by printing or sewing a patch); issuing 24 the sports caps to sport event participants; randomly drawing 26 a predetermined number of winners; announcing 28 the winners; and awarding 30 the prizes. Alternate embodiments may provide a combination of smaller prizes and one or more grand prizes, provide advertisements on the caps, or vary the number of issued prizes based on attendance. Embodiments may use numbers, colors, or letters, singly or in combination to award prizes to spectators at sporting events.

In an exemplary embodiment, an organization that has purchased a franchise may have the choice of using a patch with numbers (one of a kind) or direct printing. The patch may be sewn on to the bill of the cap or glued with fabric glue. These caps may be given or sold to the spectators at the events. Drawn identifiers or groups of identifiers that indicate winners may be arrived at by random selection devices or randomly selected by persons. For example, all persons having a cap with a 1 in the number may receive a free baseball. The organization that has the franchise may supply its own random selection devices.

In an embodiment, the highest number on caps sold or given away may be determined. A random device or random selection may be used to select a predetermined number of winners. Winners may be posted or announced at events. Franchise holders may have full charge to tailor aspects of the system to their needs.

An embodiment of a method for awarding prizes in sports events may include placing identifying codes on sports caps; issuing the sports caps to sport event participants; drawing randomly a predetermined number of winners; and awarding the prizes.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

1. A device comprising: a hat; and an identifying label on the hat; wherein the identifying label is adapted to identify a winner of a random drawing.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the identifying label includes a combination of numerals.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the identifying label includes a combination of letters.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the identifying label includes a combination of colors.
 5. The device of claim 1, the hat having a brim, wherein the identifying label is a patch attached to the brim.
 6. The device of claim 1, the hat having a brim, wherein the identifying label is printed onto the brim.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein the hat is a sports cap.
 8. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a random selection device that provides a winning code that corresponds to the identifying label on the hat, thereby identifying the winner of the random drawing.
 9. A system for identifying a winner, comprising: a hat having a label depicting an identifying code; and a random selection device adapted to identify a winning code; wherein the winner is identified by the hat having the identifying code that corresponds to the winning code.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the hat is a sports cap having a brim and the label is located on the brim.
 11. A method of awarding a prize, comprising: placing identifying codes on a plurality of hats; issuing the hats to event participants; randomly drawing a winning code; and providing the prize to the participant having the hat with the identifying code that corresponds with the winning code.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of hats are sports caps having brims, and the identifying codes are located on the brims of the hats.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the identifying code corresponds with the winning code when there is an exact match between the identifying code and the winning code.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the identifying code corresponds with the winning code when the identifying code is part of a group of identifying codes identified by the winning code.
 15. The method of claim 11, further comprising: randomly drawing a plurality of winning codes; and providing prizes to the participants having hats with an identifying code that corresponds with at least one of the winning codes. 